Hospital bed



Sept. 21, 1954 F. J. SULLIVAN HOSPITAL BED 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 27, 1952 llms Sept. 21, 1954 Filed 001'.. 27, 1952 F. J. SULLIVAN HOSPITAL BED 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 (Nin 6a INVENToR. FRANCISJoi-m SuLLwAN BY M5. MH FUI @Eas- Patented Sept. 2l, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HOSPITAL BED Francis J. Sullivan, Glenview, Ill. Application October 27, 1952, Serial No. 317,078

5 Claims.

The invention relates to improvements in beds for use by invalids or in hospitals and is particularly concerned with a bed structure having its spring frame land its mattress each fabricated in two portions mounted in such manner that they may be adjusted easily and without discomfort to the patient to permit the patient to attain a sitting posture.

` More specifically, `the invention relates to the inclusion, in the .bed structure, of novel means for supplying a patient with the customary necessities without inconveniencing the patient.

It is an object of this invention to provide a novelly constructed bed and novel manually operable means for adjusting the positions of selected portions thereof.

Another object is to provide a novel operating linkage, operatively connecting two spring frame portions of an adjustable bed structure together, and novel means to position or retract a seat portion or a commode.

A further object is to provide a bed frame with novel means to support and guide a vertically reciprocableplatform arranged therein.

These and other objects of the invention. will become apparent as the description proceeds and upon reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a. bed structure embodying the features of the present invention.`

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view ofthe bed structure, showing the parts thereof in the positions illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical sectional View taken substantially along line 3-3 of Fig. 1 lbut showing themovable portions thereof in different positions of adjustment. A

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5f is a horizontal sectional plan View taken `substantially along the line 5-5 of Fig.` 2.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a spring frame portion adapted to be used in the bed structure to provide a seat for a patient thereon.

Fig. 7 is` an "enlarged fragmentary detail sectional view of one of the bed suDpOrt posts.

Referring now to the disclosure in the accompanying drawings, the bed structure includes the usual head and foot bed supports including tubular posts II which, in the present instance, are round and. may be connected at their upper ends by integral horizontal connecting portions I2.

Each post has a fixture I3 constituting a part thereof. Referring to Fig. 7, which best illu.,-

` trates this construction, each fixture I3 has opposed end portions I4 of reduced diameter adapted to telescope snugly into opposed ends of superposed sections of the post I I. Each fixture I3 carries a pair of bolts` I5 which project perpendicularly thereto for the purpose of providing mea-ns for mounting an angle bracket on each post II. Each angle I6 is disposed: parallel to its vtion 24.

related post, that is, it extends vertically in both directions from the fixture I3 for a short dis-` tance. The upper and lower extremities of the angles IB on each of the bed supports are suitably connected by transverse tie bars I1 andV I8 respectively, which may be Welded or otherwise secured to said angles. A pair of upper side rails I9 and av pair of lower side rails 2| extend longitudinally of the bed between the bed supports and these rails have their ends rmly secured, as by welding, to the ends of the related vertical angles I6.

The structure just described constitutes a rigid bed frame having bed supports, at the head and footthereof iirmly connected by the rails I9 and 2| which constitute the side rails of the bed structure. A pair of substantially rectangular sideplates 22 are arranged adjacent the head bed support, as best illustrated in Figs. l and 2, and these plates are bolted or otherwise secured firmly one to each set of side rails I9 and 2| and have a portion thereof depending below each lower rail 2 I. The plates 22 not only increase the rigidity of the bed structure but :also provide means for mounting mechanism to be described presently;

As indicated hereinbefore, the present invention is concerned with the provision of novel means to facilitate the positioning of a patient occupying the bed from the usual flat or more or less inclined position into a sitting position and vice-Versa. In order to best accomplish this, the spring frame is constructed in two sections or portions and each portion constitutes a support for a similarly sized mattress section. Upon referring to Figs. 1 and 3 it will be noted that the spring frame consists of a foot spring frame portion 23 and a head spring frame por- Ihe foot spring frame 23 preferably is substantially rectangular in shape and is `of smaller over-al1 dimensions than the dimensions of the coresponding portion oi the bed structure so that it may be positioned within said bed structure for free movement from the horizontal position illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 into the 'substantially vertical `position illustrated in Fig. 3. In order to permit vsuch movement ofthe foot spring frame 23, said frame is pivotally mounted, as at 25,.to the upper side rails i9. This mounting is located adjacent tothe innermost end of the spring frame 23 so that the majorportion of said spring frame may be disposed below the plane of the mounting 25 when the s pringirame is moved out of its horizontal position.

The head spring frame 24! is mounted. in a manner to permit the end portion thereof closest to the head support to be moved out or" the horizontal position illustrated in Figs. 1 and2, and into substantially the position illustrated in Fig. 3. This spring frame, like the spring frame 23, is dimensioned so that it nts within the connes of the side rails 179 of the bed structure not oc- Ycupied by the foot spring frame portion.

Its end remote from the head of the bed carries a pair of laterally extending pintles 26 which constitute a pivotal mounting for said frame end.

It should be observed that the head spring frame 24 is shifted longitudinally of the bed structure while it is being moved from its hori- Zontal position into its inclined position, and viceversa. In order to accomplish this, the pintles 26, which constitute the mounting means for the head spring frame 24, are not journaled in fixed bearings but instead each pintle rests upon a flange or track 21 provided on the inside face of each rail I9, beneath the top flange thereof. It should be quite obvious that the head spring frame 24 is free to move towards and away from the foot spring frame 23 while said frames are being moved into either extreme positions of adjustment.

In order to accomplish uniform, simultaneous movement of both spring frames 23 and 24 into either of their positions of adjustment, said spring frames are interconnected by means of linkage.

This linkage includes a pair of links/'28 each pivotally connected at one end, as at 29, to the foot end of the foot spring frame 23. It also includes a second pair of links 3l! each of which is mounted, as at 3|, to the head spring frame 24 adjacent the head end thereof. The links 3B are rigidly mounted with respect to the head spring Yframe by providing tie straps 32. One link of each pair of links 28 and 29 is pivotally connected to the other, as by a rod 33.

Upon referring to Fig. 2 it will be observed that when the spring frames are positioned horizontally, the linkage 26-30 depends a considerable distance therebelow. The linkage also constitutes part of the mechanism provided for eicient manual adjustment of the spring frames. Accordingly, each of the links 30 has a bracket 34 secured thereon substantially midway between its ends, which brackets each have pivotally connected thereto, as at 35, one end of one of a pair of arms 36, the other ends of which are mounted upon a shaft 31 vjournaled at its ends in the side plates 22 and extending therebetween. This structure is perhaps best illustrated in Figs. 3

l and 4.

The shaft 31 carries a sprocket v38 thereon firmly, which sprocket has a chain 39 trained thereover for operatively connecting said sprocket with a sprocket 4| secured to the power takeoff shaft of a gear box 42. A shaft 43 extending from the gear box 42 constitutes the power shaft thereof and this shaft extends outwardly through and beyond one of the side plates 22 and has a crank wheel 44 secured thereon firmly. The structure is such that upon manual rotation of the crank wheel 44, the sprocket 4| and the sprocket 38 connected thereto, are operated to rotate the shaft 31. Inasmuch as the arms 36 are journaled firmly on the shaft 31, said arms are effective upon rotation of said shaft to raise and lower the spring frames 23 and 24.

It should be quite evident that a considerable load is carried by the arms 36 when the head spring frame 24 is raised into or held in itssubstantially inclined position while the bed is occupied. Accordingly, additional means is provided to relieve the arms 36 of the entire load. This means preferably includes the provision of a relatively wide elongated piece of strap material 45 which may be welded, bolted or otherwise secured at one of its ends to one face of the sprocket 38 so as to move in unison therewith.

' VThe other or free end of the strap 45 is adapted to abut a rod 46 mounted in and extending between the arms 36. With this form of construction the strap 45 absorbs some of the load carried by'the arms 36 thus minimizing the possibility of mishap resulting from inadvertent buckling or breakage of linkage.

It will be noted upon referring to Fig. 3 that when the spring frames 23 and 24 are in the inclined positions illustrated, there is a gap between said frames and between the mattress sections 41-48 thereon. This results from rearward sliding of the pintles 26 on the tracks 21 and is effected by the linkage 28, 3!! to afford means whereby a commode 49 may be moved into a poi sition for use. The commode 49 is adapted to be loosely placed upon a platform 5|, preferably fashioned from sheet stock, which platform has a plurality of spring brackets 52 depending therefrom for disengageable engagement with a pair of rods 53-54 constituting part of a platform supporting-frame structure. The frame structure is perhaps best illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 and it includes end straps 55 through which the rods 53 and 54 extend and to which they are secured.

In order to mount lthe platform frame so as to permit said frame, with the platform 5| and the commode 49 carried thereby, to be moved in a substantially vertical direction, for a purpose to become apparent presently, each pair of side rails IS-Zi is interconnected by a steeply inclined guide strap 56 adjacent to the bearings 25 and by two guide straps 51, parallel with strap 56 and located between the same and the head post Rollers 58, mounted on the ends of the platform frame rod 54, are arranged to ride between the pairs of straps 51. The other platform frame rod 53 has a roller 59 on each end thereofl to ride along one edge of the related single guide strap 56. There is a bracket 6| formed integral with each platform end strap 55, preferably by welding, which bracket extends forwardly therefrom and is turned outwardly and then rearwardly, as best illustrated in Fig. 5, to provide a mounting for a roller 62 located to ride on the other edge of the related guide strap 56. It should be quite evident that the platform frame mounting is such as to guide the platform frame along the inclined guides 56 and 51 and also providing support for the platform frame by said guides;

Movement of the platform frame and any article supported thereby may be accomplished in any suitable manner. However, in the present disclosure said frame is mechanically connected to the footspring frame 23 so as to be movable in unison upon movement of said frame. As illustrated, each end strap 55 of the platform frame has an upwardly extending standard 53. Each standard 63 is connected, as by a link B4, to the innermost end of the foot spring frame 23, Upon referring to Fig. 2, it will be observed that when the spring frame portions are in their horizontal positions, the platform frame is in what might be termed a lowered position and that, when the spring frames are moved into inclined positions, such as shown in Fig. 3, the platform frame is moved upwardly to locate the commode in a position for convenient use. A handle'65 is provided on the end of a rod 65 extending, transversely of the bed, from one side of the platform 5| S0 as to afford means whereby, when the platform is in its lower position, said platform may be shifted along the rods 53 and 54 to facilitate access to the commode for removal.

In instances where it is desired to position the spring frames 23 and 25 in the inclined positions illustrated in Fig. 3, so that a patient may rest in a substntially sitting position, the platform 5I is removed easily and quickly by disengaging the brackets 52 from the rods 53 and 54. An auxiliary spring frame 51, illustrated in Fig. 6, is then mounted upon the rods 53 and 54 so as to sup port a secondary mattress section (not illustrated). Brackets 58 which may be similar to the brackets 52 may be provided on the auxiliary spring frame 61 so as to prevent its inadvertent displacement.

Although an exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in detail and fully described in the forego ing description, it should be understood that the invention may embody other features of construction than those specifically illustrated and is not to be limited or restricted except as may be required by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A bed having a pair of side rails, a pair of spring frames adapted normally to be arranged horizontally end to end between the side rails, a mattress section carried by each frame, a pivotal mounting means supported by the side rails and supporting one end of one of said spring frames, a rst spring frame tilting means to tilt the said pivotally mounted frame downwardly between the side rails, a slidable pivotal mounting means supported by the side rails and supporting one end of the other spring frame, a second spring frame tilting means to tilt said slidably mounted frame upwardly and slide it away from the other frame between the side rails, means operable to actuate the rst and second spring frame tilting means, an elevator supported from the side rails .and adapted to be normally beneath the plane of said spring frames, and means connecting the elevator with at least one of said frames for raising said elevator when said one frame is tilted downwardly.

2. A bed of the character described in claim l additionally having guide means secured to each side rail and adapted to guide the elevator in a steeply inclined direction when said one frame is tilted downwardly for raising said elevator.

3. In a bed, two pairs of posts, a pair of end bars connecting the posts of each pair, side rails connecting corresponding posts of said pair of posts` said side rails being arranged in pairs one on each side of the bed and the rails of each pair being spaced apart vertically, spring frames supported by the upper rail of each pair of rails,

one of said frames being arranged at the foot portion of the bed and the other at the head portion of the bed, the spring frame at the foot portion being pivoted at one end to Athe upper rails so as to be movable into a downwardly inclined position, the other spring frame having pintles at one end, guides in the upper rails receiving said pintles whereby the said spring frame can be pivotally moved into an upwardly inclined position and shifted away from the other spring frame to leave space therebetween, substantially vertical guides on the side rails, a frame structure carried by and guided along said guides, a platform on said frame structure, a pair of links one pivotally connected to each side of the foot portion spring frame adjacent its free end, a pair of links one secured to each side of the head portion spring frame at its free end, the links on each side of the bed being connected one to the other at their free ends, and means operably connected with said link assembly actuablc to move the spring frames into said inclined positions and simultaneously to raise said frame structure along said guides.

4. In a bed, twoy pairs of posts, end and side rails connecting corresponding posts of said pairs of posts, said side rails being arranged in pairs, one pair on each'side of the bed, and the rails of each pair being spaced apart vertically, spring frames supported by and between the upper rails of said pairs of rails, one of said frames being arranged at the foot portion of the bed and the other at the head portion of the bed, the spring frame at the foot portion being pivoted at one end to the upper rails so as to be movable into a downwardly inclined position, the other spring frame having pintles at one end, guides receiving said pintles whereby the said spring frame can be pivotally moved into an upwardly inclined position and shifted away from the other spring frame to leave space between the spring frames, substantially vertical guides supported by each pair of side rails, a frame structure carried by and guided along said guides, a platform on said frame structure, a pair of links each pivotally connected to the free end of one side of the foot portion spring frame, a pair of links each secured to the free end of one side of the head portion spring frame, the links on each side of the bed being connected pivotally one to the other at their free ends, side plates secured to the side rails adjacent the head portion of the bed and substantially disposed below the head portion spring frame, a shaft journaled in and extending between said plates, a pair of links each having one end mounted on one end of said shaft and having its other end pivotally connected to the adjacent link connected to the head portion spring frame, and means on said shaft to actuate the several links to move the spring frames into tilted positions.

5. In a bed, two pairs of posts, side rails connecting corresponding posts of said pairs of posts, spring frames supported by and between the side rails, one of said frames being arranged at the foot portion of the bed and the other at the head portion of the bed, the spring frame at the foot portion being pivoted at one end to the side rails so as to be movable into a downwardly inclined position, the other spring frame having pintles at one end, guides in the side rails receiving said pintles whereby the said head spring frame can be moved into an upwardly inclined position and shifted away from the other spring frame to leave space therebetween, means to hold the opposite ends of said spring frames, inclined upright guides supported by the side rails, a frame structure supported by and `guided along said guides, a platform on said frame structure, and

a link connecting the platform frame and one of the spring frames so as to cause the platform frame to move along the guides when the said spring frame is tilted.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 585,646 Ames July 6, 1897 718,746 Bennett Jan. 20, 1903 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 8,207 Germany Dec. 3, 1879 65,244 Germanyl Nov. 4, 1892 11,484 Great Britain Aug. 24, 1895 

